JOJO: (text messages) Mahal, ok lang if we meet up sa Glorietta? And gagabihin ka?
MEC: (without even questioning the change of plans) Ok baby, see you later, kaso naka-mini skirt lang ako maya ha? and sporty kinda top
JOJO: Uhm, Hard Rock kasi sana tayo mamaya eh, pede kaya yun?
MEC: I think I look decent naman, but see for yourself later na lang. At worst, we can buy a top na lang at Glorietta
JOJO: Ok mahal, will see you later? Will be waiting at McDo around 6:30 pm ok?
MEC: (having checked Click the City) Circus Band? Never heard of them... anyway, see you later mahal, love you, mwah mwah!
JOJO: Hmm, you checked click the city no! Ahehe... see you later and ingat ha, mahal?

RUBEN: Are there anybody here celebrating a birthday, anniversary...
MEC: (pointing to her Baby with pride) My baby... birthday nya
SWEET: I Know Jojo Arevalo is celebrating his birthday
RUBEN: Yes, where is Jojo?
MEC: (realizing that Jojo might have told Ruben about his birthday when they met after their PLDT gig) baby, ayan tawag ka nila

THE COMPANY SINGS "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

MEC: Ay shucks, sobrang happy ko, nde ko na-video
ED: Pano ba mag-video
MEC: Ganito lang o... sayang, they should sing again for him
JOJO: (onstage) Thank you very much, of course, my birthday won't be special without my Baby...
RUBEN: Oh, so you're special someone is here
SWEET: What's her name?
JOJO: Uhm, Mec... Baby, will you please come here
SWEET/RUBEN: Yes Mec... come here onstage with Jojo
MEC: Ed, i-video mo kami dali!
(onstage... )JOJO: I hope everyone will bear with me... Birthday ko naman eh... I just really want to have my Baby here with me.. Baby, you know how thankful i've been that I have you... and like what I'm telling you earlier, it feels like there's still something missing between us... there's something missing in our life... and I think this is the perfect time to tell you
(crowd cheering)MEC TO RUBEN: (clueless pa din)O diba, I think I should be the one making a speech for him... it's his birthday!
JOJO: (suddenly kneeling on one knee) Baby, will you marry me? (whipping out a ring)SWEET: Ay ang ganda!
(crowd cheering)MEC: (shocked, trying to pull Jojo back to his feet, crying)JOJO: So Baby, will you marry me?
MEC: Of course!!!
huggingTHE COMPANY: (singing) Darling did you know that something happened to us... right before the future...
SWEET: So, Mec, Mec, how are you?
MEC: I'm very, very, very happy
RUBEN: Isuot mo yung ring, Jo...
(crowd cheering)JOJO: Baby, you really, really changed my life...
(crowd cheering)ENGAGED COUPLE: Thank you, thank you...

And I really had no idea. I thought he was just making the most of a birthday, and The Company's kindness to fans.

Turned out, when Ruben texted him their gigs, he already told him that he intended to propose to me during one of their gigs. Ruben was all for it (aren't they the bestest?). It also turned out, that after combing several countries (when he's sent abroad for trainings), e-bay, other jewelry shops, he'd still end up finding THE ENGAGEMENT RING in Ongpin...

Turned out, he also only bought the ring yesterday... and when he found it, he realized he could finally pull the proposal off...

And that it's mainly why he's broke the past few days...

He then immediately texted his colleagues for back-up... which is why Sandy and Ed were there...

He also went early to HRC to ask for permission to pull this stunt... and texted Ruben that it's happening tonight. (isn't HRC the bestest?)

He then texted his parents.

And he spent the whole time waiting for me at McCafe a nervous wreck.

And he said he'd bop me on the head if I said NO.

And isn't my fiance the bestest?

And yet, he whispered to me several times after... that THE BEST IS YET TO COME

*~*

HOW PERFECT THINGS WERE/AREI've always loved THE COMPANY... our list of wedding songs include a lot of their songs... we've watched their major concerts and gigs, on Valentines and anniversaries...

And ever since I was in High School, I vowed that I want a ruby ring for an engagement ring. I find diamonds cold and ostentatious. I preferred rubies because of the fire and the passion the stone inherently possess.

Jojo also didn't like diamonds much... and was considering rubies or jades... anyway, having known each other this long, we've talked about preferences like that...

*~*

My Baby said it hurt him when i'd casually mention that I get stumped when asked when our engagement date is...

But I was really happy settling with his Grand Gesture... I mean, of course, most girls would dream of being swept off their feet and being taken by surprise... most girls would appreciate romantic guys... but I knew that my Baby was already romantic and loving and good, he was already both the icing and the cake..

I guess tho... the stunt he pulled off (he was amazed too that he completely floored me with surprise... usually, I get things pretty easily... being eternally paranoid and suspicious) would be another serving of dessert...

And yet, he kept on telling me... small steps would take us to great happiness in our togetherness... and that THE BEST IS YET TO COME...

*~*

We kitikitexted everybody we could think of... My sister was sooo happy, they waited for me to get home. Upon regalling her with the gory details... she casually remarks... "To think, matalino ka no... tas nde ka nakaramdam"

Wish I can share the haphazard video taken of us by his colleague... :)

*~*

I couldn't sleep last night... and when I finally did... I dreamt again and again of that moment when we were onstage... and time stood still...

hi jojo, thanks for letting us read your blog. grabe, i didn't know that you're getting married na pala. to think na parang kailan lang estudyante pa lang tayo. ngayon 28 na tayo. i'm glad to know that you had the best birthday. i wish you more happiness in the future... good luck and God bless!

I mean, for a guy to do this when you've been planning about the wedding after all...

And to go to these extents, all these preparations, engaging the help of friends, just to see that smile on your face...

'the best is yet to come...' I think that's a pretty nice thought to hold. No matter how good things are at present, you know it could still get better, that you're geared up for the better, and you're mindset is to make it better.

Mommy Mec

Yakee & Yamee

Rubeus Iakob loves the outdoors, animals, dinosaurs, trucks, superheroes, books and Oreo. Good enough Kuya. Read more about his progress at his own blog.

Yannis Mikah has a greater appetite, loves blinking lights and going out and is growing a very persistent, stubborn personality. Good enough bunso. Read more about his progress at his own blog.

30-something and childlike, the couple continue their baby steps towards a more meaningful relationship, a crazier, happier love and well-invested years of discovery and growth. Ngarag but loving Intentional Parents to two boys. Favorite activities are still cuddling and tickling each other.